ILOILO City – The city government is regulating the sale, distribution, manufacture, and use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices this holiday season.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ Executive Order (EO) No. 107-2022 identified only three areas where firecracker and pyrotechnic vendors can display and sell their products from Dec. 1 to 31. These are the following:
* Circumferential Road C1 (corner Jocson Street) in Arevalo district
* C1 Road – corner of the East Coast Iloilo-Capiz Road and Circumferential Road in Jaro district (along Ondoy’s Sugbahan)
* along Muelle Loney Street (along Riverside front of Muelley Loney Statue) in the City Proper
Vendors have to pay P500 permit fee at the City Treasurer’s Office.
The EO, however, stipulated that only firecrackers allowed under the law must be sold.
According to the Department of Health, firecrackers allowed under the law include Baby Rocket, Bawang, Small Triangulo, Pulling of Strings, Paper Caps, El Diablo, Watusi, Judah’s Belt, Sky Rocket, among others.
For pyrotechnics, the following are allowed: Sparklers, Luces, Fountain, Jumbo Regular and Special, Mabuhay, Roman Candles, Trompillo, Whistle Devices, Airwolf, and Butterfly.
Meanwhile, prohibited types of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices include those whose net explosive(s) ingredient contents exceed three teaspoons; hose that will endanger life and limb, such as atomic big triangulo, super lolo, and their equivalent; those that use sulfur and/or phosphorous mixed with chlorates; those sold without the necessary permits and licenses; those determined by the Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as dangerous to life and limb; and Class 4 fireworks and pyrotechnic devices sold to and used by persons not qualified as licensed pyrotechnicians and/or licensed fireworks display operators.
Also, fireworks and pyrotechnic devices display zone or center should be separated from each other by a firewall with a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours.
Fire extinguishers must also be provided while smoking within 15 meters from a display center as well as stoves, explosive flames and electrical heaters and testing of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices are prohibited.
Moreover, the identified fireworks and pyrotechnic devices exhibition zones is the portion of the Iloilo River Esplanade in Barangay Progreso in Lapuz district.
The conduct of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices exhibition must also comply with necessary clearance and permit.
As part of the guidelines also, the fireworks and pyrotechnic devices shall be fired from a distance of at least 100 feet away from people and be projected upwards; duly licensed person shall supervise the fireworks and pyrotechnic devices display; sufficient approved type of first aid fire protection equipment shall be on hand at the site during the fireworks and pyrotechnic devices exhibition; and the nearest fire station shall be notified of such fireworks and pyrotechnic devices display.
MANUFACTURING ZONE
Manufacturers must comply with the rules and regulation under Republic Act No. 7183 in terms of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices manufacturing zones. These are:
* should be at least 300 meters away from the nearest residential area;
* all buildings shall have adequate ventilation, no concrete floors, must be leak-proof and furnished with necessary fire extinguishers;
* the warehouse must be at least 50 meters away from any processing station;
* indicated minimum distance from each other for the following are: mixing station – 50 meters; grinding station – 40 meters; packaging station – 40 meters; fuse making/nagmimitsa – 20 meters; and loading station – 20 meters.
The EO also prohibits manufacturers, dealers and retailers of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices from selling to minors or anyone below 18 years of age.
Meanwhile, appropriate penalties will be imposed on any person who violates laws and issuances on firecrackers.
Blasting firecrackers or pyrotechnics to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year is a Filipino tradition. The loud sound created by the blast is believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck./PN
